Cablegate: Country Clearance for Ntsb -- Rosenker, Mark; Doyle,

VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #3766/01 2270810
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150810Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6499

UNCLAS TOKYO 003766

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA ELTN EAIR ASEC NTSB JA
SUBJECT: Country Clearance for NTSB -- Rosenker, Mark; Doyle,
Thomas; Czech, Barbara

1. (U) Embassy Tokyo welcomes and grants country clearance to the
NTSB delegation traveling to Tokyo August 19-27, 2007, for meetings
with Japanese automobile manufacturers. The delegation is as
follows:

Mark V. Rosenker, Chairman
Thomas W. Doyle, Counselor to the Chairman,
Barbara A. Czech, Deputy Director of the Office of Highway Safety

2. (U) Embassy point of contact for this visit is Economic Officer
Joshua Handler. He can be reached at any time through the embassy
switchboard or by any of the following:

Switchboard: (81)-3-3224-5000
Office phone: (81)-3-3224-5023
Home phone: (81)-3-3224-6828
Cell phone: (81)-090-5328-1416
Fax: (81)-3-3224-5019
Unclassified e-mail: HandlerJM@state.gov

SIPDIS

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Visa
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3. (U) Holders of U.S. diplomatic or official passports must have a
Japanese visa to enter Japan if they are on official business.
Travelers on a U.S. tourist (blue cover) passport may enter Japan as
a tourist without a Japanese visa for up to 90 days.

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Electronic Equipment
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4. (U) The Embassy's laptop policy states absolutely no personal,
non-government owned laptop computer may enter the Embassy.
Absolutely no laptop, even government owned, may be connected to the
Embassy network in any way. TDY employees are reminded that no
government owned laptops may enter the Embassy without prior RSO
approval. Absolutely no laptop, even government owned, inside CAA
areas unless special pre-approval, based on business need, has been
given. If you would like to bring a U.S. government owned and
provided laptop computer into the Embassy, please contact the RSO
office prior to your visit for a briefing and approval.

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Threat Assessment
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5. (U) Please note that travelers to Japan should have a copy of
their orders and official ID card with them at the time of entry.
Also be advised that under no circumstances may weapons be brought
into Japan. Carrying a pocket knife (including a Swiss army-style
knife, craft or hunting knife, box cutter, etc.) in public is
forbidden. Under Japanese law, carrying any such item in public,
with a size exceeding 8 cm in length, 1.5 cm in width, and 2 mm in
thickness can subject the person to arrest or detention.

6. (U) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened
state of alert. As the U.S. Government has reported in public
announcements over the last several months, U.S. citizens and
interests abroad may be at increased risk of terrorist actions from
extremist groups, which may target civilians and include suicide
operations. Americans should increase their security awareness and
avoid locations where Americans are generally known to congregate.
The Department will continue to develop information about potential
threats to Americans overseas and to share credible threat
information through its consular information program documents
available on the internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs
homepage: http://www.travel.state.gov.

7. (U) Threat Assessment: The events of September 11, 2001 serve
as a reminder of the continuing threat from terrorists and extremist
groups to Americans and American interests worldwide. This
situation remains fluid and American citizens should be aware of the
potential risks and take these into consideration when making travel
plans. The Department maintains information about potential threats
to Americans overseas, which is available to travelers on the
Internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs' homepage:
http://www.travel.state.gov/. The Embassy takes all threats
seriously. Embassy Tokyo can be contacted 24 hours a day at
03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224-5000 (internationally).

8. (U) The general threat from crime in Tokyo and throughout Japan
is low; well below the U.S. national average. Violent crime is
rare, but does exist. The Japanese National Police report continued
problems with thefts and pick pocketing of foreigners in crowded
shopping areas of Tokyo. Common sense security measures are advised
for all American citizens traveling in Japan.

9. (U) Visitors are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and
to increase their security awareness. Americans should maintain a
low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and
treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion.

Visitors are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious,
unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of such objects to
local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended and
should be kept locked at all times.

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Currency
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10. (U) Japanese Yen. Credit cards are widely accepted at most
shops, restaurants and hotels. However, some credit card companies
may charge an international transaction fee. Using Stateside credit
cards for cash advances is limited and there are only a small number
of ATMs that accept Stateside cards. Twenty-four hour currency
exchange facilities are available in the customs area and arrival
lobby of the airport.
MESERVE

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